The great Scottish hero, William Wallace, and his band of lowlanders routed a superior English force of 50,000 at Stirling Castle in 1297. In his ongoing challenge of Edward I, he also laid waste to several counties in the north of England. These early attacks inspired Scottish nationalism that culminated in the achievement of independence under Robert the Bruce. Commonly called the Wallace Sword, this sword is the predecessor of the true two-hand claymore with its characteristic downsloping guard that developed in the late 15th century. This large two-hander had a straight guard and a 46 inches long blade that is quite capable of cleaving the Sassenach.